Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698941680336.pdf (Zambia)
Republic of Zambia ADDRESS By THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA On The PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Delivered TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY On FRIDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY, 2023 INTRODUCTION MADAM SPEAKER, GOOD MORNING.

I AM GREATLY HONOURED TO JOIN THIS AUGUST HOUSE TODAY, TO PRESENT A REPORT ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9 (2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA.

MADAM SPEAKER, BEFORE I PROCEED WITH THE ADDRESS, ALLOW ME TO WELCOME THE TWO HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, WHO JOINED THIS AUGUST HOUSE FOLLOWING THE BY-ELECTIONS HELD ON 21ST OCTOBER, 2022.

WE CONGRATULATE MR. BERNARD KANENGO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KABUSHI CONSTITUENCY, IN NDOLA AND MR. CHARLES ABEL MULENGA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KWACHA CONSTITUENCY IN KITWE, ON THEIR VICTORY.
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE TWO HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE ELECTORATE IN THE TWO CONSTITUENCIES AS WELL AS SERVE THE COUNTRY DILIGENTLY.
1 MADAM SPEAKER, OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, AS ENSHRINED IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE CONSTITUTION, ARE: (I) MORALITY AND ETHICS; (II) PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY; (III) DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM; (IV) HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NON- DISCRIMINATION; (V) GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY; AND (VI) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

MADAM SPEAKER, LET ME NOW REPORT ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.

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2 1.

MORALITY AND ETHICS MADAM SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING MORALITY AND ETHICS AMONG OUR PEOPLE.

A MORALLY UPRIGHT NATION IS KEY TO ACHIEVING MEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT.

AS A NATION, WE STILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH PREVALENCE OF VICES SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TEENAGE PREGNANCY, CHILD MARRIAGE AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.

DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, GOVERNMENT INTENSIFIED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ALCOHOL POLICY, AS A WAY OF ADDRESSING ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
WE UNDERTOOK SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES ON THE DANGERS OF THIS VICE IN COMMUNITIES, PLACES OF WORK AND INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.

SINCE MY ADDRESS LAST YEAR, 523,973 CITIZENS HAVE BEEN SENSITISED, COMPARED TO 217,234 IN 2021.

FURTHER, GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES TO CITIZENS WHO ABUSE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS.

IN THIS REGARD, REHABILITATION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 1,212 CITIZENS IN 2022, COMPARED TO 810 IN 2021.
GOING FORWARD GOVERNMENT WILL ENHANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ALCOHOL POLICY, AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS HAVE ALSO COME ON BOARD.

3 MADAM SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE SUPPLIERS OF ILLICIT DRUGS, WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MORAL FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY.

MADAM SPEAKER, CHILD MARRIAGE AND TEENAGE PREGNANCY ARE SOCIAL ILLS WHICH CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF CONCERN TO GOVERNMENT.
IN THIS REGARD, THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED FREE EDUCATION AMONG OTHER INTERVENTIONS, AS A WAY OF KEEPING CHILDREN LONGER IN SCHOOL.

MADAM SPEAKER, OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM ALL FORMS OF ABUSE AND PROMOTE THEIR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN ENHANCED WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S CODE ACT NO.

12 OF 2022.

WE CALL ON SOCIETY TO EXERCISE THEIR PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN FROM ALL FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
4 MADAM SPEAKER, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE REMAINS A SOURCE OF CONCERN.

GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO USE A MULTISECTORAL APPROACH IN IMPLEMENTING INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THIS VICE.

MADAM SPEAKER, STRONG MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES ARE A FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY AND UNITED SOCIETY.

THE RATE AT WHICH MARRIAGES ARE BREAKING UP IN OUR COUNTRY IS, THEREFORE, WORRISOME.
I URGE FAMILIES, THE CHURCH, CIVIL SOCIETY AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO INTENSIFY THEIR EFFORTS IN ENSURING THAT THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IS ALWAYS SAFEGUARDED.

MADAM SPEAKER, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING HAVE BECOME A MORAL CONCERN TO OUR COUNTRY.

GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO INTERCEPT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS WHO, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SOME OF OUR OWN CITIZENS, HAVE CONTINUED TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE ALSO NOTED WITH DISMAY THAT SOME OF OUR PEOPLE ARE HARBOURING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
5 TO PREVENT THESE VICES, GOVERNMENT HAS PASSED THE ANTI- HUMAN TRAFFICKING (AMENDMENT) ACT 2022.

WE ARE ALSO STRENGTHENING OUR BORDER CONTROLS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, WE ARE EMPLOYING BORDER GUARDS FOR EFFECTIVE BORDER MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY.

MADAM SPEAKER, SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET HAVE INCREASINGLY BECOME A PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES AND INTERACTIONS.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE, OBSERVED THAT ABUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA HAS CONTINUED TO BE A VEHICLE TO DRIVE HATE SPEECH AND DIVISIVE SENTIMENTS BY SOME OF OUR PEOPLE.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS ALSO BEING USED TO DEFRAUD UNSUSPECTING USERS AS WELL AS BROADCAST INDECENT MATERIAL.

WE URGE OUR CITIZENS TO USE THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, AS WELL AS OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE AS YARDSTICKS AS WE EXPRESS OURSELVES.

THIS WILL INCULCATE GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN OUR CHILDREN.
IN THIS REGARD, WE CALL UPON OUR CITIZENS TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO FOSTER ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

6 PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY MADAM SPEAKER, PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY ARE KEY IN OUR QUEST TO ATTAIN SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL SECURITY.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF PRIDE, DEVOTION AND ATTACHMENT TO OUR COUNTRY, INCLUDING RESPECT FOR OUR NATIONAL SYMBOLS.
THE COAT OF ARMS, THE NATIONAL FLAG, THE PUBLIC SEAL AS WELL AS THE “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION” MOTTO MUST ALWAYS INVOKE A SENSE OF PRIDE, NATIONAL IDENTITY AND UNITY IN ALL OF US.

MADAM SPEAKER, PATRIOTISM ALSO ENTAILS TAKING CARE OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ASSETS WHICH ADD TO THE NATIONAL BALANCE SHEET.

AS CITIZENS, LET US BE PROGRESSIVE, PATRIOTIC AND PROTECT OUR BUILDINGS, ROADS, RAILWAY LINES, POWER INSTALLATIONS AMONG OTHERS.
MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE GLAD TO REPORT THAT OUR PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT PATRIOTISM THROUGH CONSUMPTION OF LOCALLY PRODUCED GOODS AND SERVICES.

IT IS GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS TAKING UP ITS RIGHTFUL ROLE BY INCREASING THE RANGE 7 AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LOCALLY PRODUCED GOODS AND SERVICES.

SINCE MY LAST ADDRESS, THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES REGISTERED TO USE THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN LOGO HAS INCREASED TO 69 FROM 47 IN 2021.
MADAM SPEAKER, AS A DEMONSTRATION OF PATRIOTISM TO OUR COUNTRY, WE ALL HAVE A DUTY TO PAY TAXES.

AS INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE CITIZENS, WE ALSO HAVE A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSACTIONS ARE TAX COMPLIANT.

WHEN WE DO SO, WE CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES.
TO MAKE IT EASY FOR OUR PEOPLE TO MEET THEIR TAX OBLIGATIONS, GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING SEVERAL MEASURES SUCH AS DIGITISING TAX MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT, RELIABLE AND SIMPLIFIED PROCESS THAT WILL ENHANCE TAX COMPLIANCE.

MADAM SPEAKER, OUR COUNTRY HAS DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPINGS.

SINCE INDEPENDENCE, ZAMBIA HAS PROMOTED AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THROUGH OUR 8 NATIONAL MOTTO “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION.” THIS HAS BEEN, AND SHOULD REMAIN THE FIRM FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THIS NATION IS ANCHORED.
AS A NATION, WE DO NOT AND WILL NEVER CONDONE TRIBALISM.

IT IS RETROGRESSIVE AND DENIES OUR PEOPLE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

IT ALSO DENIES THE NATION THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPTIMISE AVAILABLE HUMAN CAPITAL.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO REPORT THAT CADREISM AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.

OUR PEOPLE ARE NOW ABLE TO GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING HARASSED.
MADAM SPEAKER, PATRIOTISM ALSO ENTAILS PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF OUR COUNTRY BY ADDRESSING BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY THREATS, MAINTAINING PEACE AND STABILITY AS WELL AS KEEPING VITAL SERVICES RUNNING, UNINTERRUPTED.

9 IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE PEOPLE A SAFER ZAMBIA, THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT IS WORKING ON A NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY, THAT WILL BE CONSULTATIVE AND INCLUSIVE.

THIS WILL BE AIMED AT ADDRESSING OUR NATION'S FUNDAMENTAL SECURITY NEEDS AND CHALLENGES AGAINST ALL THREATS.
DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM MADAM SPEAKER, THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION IS A FIRM BELIEVER IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE BECAUSE IT ACCORDS OUR PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY.

WE ARE HAPPY THAT NOW OUR PEOPLE ARE FREELY PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OUR COUNTRY, AS EVIDENCED BY THE RECENTLY HELD PEACEFUL BY-ELECTIONS AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENTARY LEVELS.

MADAM SPEAKER, FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A CRITICAL ASPECT OF DEMOCRACY.
TO THIS EFFECT, THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT HAS REMOVED, FROM OUR STATUTES, THE PROVISIONS THAT CRIMINALISE DEFAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT.

10 MADAM SPEAKER, TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY, CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT.

STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS HAVE SINCE BEEN COMPLETED AND A DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.

I URGE THIS AUGUST HOUSE TO SUPPORT THE BILL WHEN IT IS PRESENTED.
HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NON- DISCRIMINATION MADAM SPEAKER, THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION RESPECTS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE.

IN THIS REGARD, WE HAVE ABOLISHED THE DEATH PENALTY.

MADAM SPEAKER, FOR A LONG TIME, OUR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES HAVE HAD INADEQUATE AND POOR INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS INHUMANE LIVING CONDITIONS.
THE FACILITIES WERE OVER-CROWDED AND OUTBREAKS OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, SUCH AS TUBERCULOSIS AND SCABIES, WERE COMMON AMONG INMATES.

11 OUR GOVERNMENT IS ADDRESSING THIS SITUATION, BY PROVIDING 25,000 MATTRESSES, 50,000 BLANKETS AND MAKING 12,000 BUNK BEDS TO ENSURE THE HUMAN DIGNITY OF OUR INMATES.

MADAM SPEAKER, THROUGH THE INCREASED CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF), WE ARE PROGRESSIVELY ENHANCING EQUITY, EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE GLAD TO REPORT THAT AS AT DECEMBER 2022, ALL THE 156 CONSTITUENCIES HAD RECEIVED THEIR ALLOCATION IN FULL.

SO FAR, 3,256 COMMUNITY PROJECTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN ALL CONSTITUENCIES.

THESE INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS CLINICS, CLASSROOMS AND POLICE POSTS.

A TOTAL OF 11,422 VULNERABLE PUPILS IN BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IN 130 CONSTITUENCIES, WERE PROVIDED WITH BOARDING BURSARIES TO ENABLE THEM CONTINUE WITH THEIR EDUCATION.
FURTHER, 29,916 YOUTHS FROM VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN 145 CONSTITUENCIES, ACCESSED SKILLS DEVELOPMENT BURSARIES.

12 GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CDF.

TO THIS EFFECT, THE APPROVAL OF CDF PROJECTS HAS BEEN DECENTRALISED TO THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION AND GUIDELINES ON PROCUREMENT HAVE ALSO BEEN STREAMLINED.

GOVERNMENT ISSUED ZAMBIA PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY (ZPPA) CIRCULAR NO.

1 OF 2023.
1 OF 2023.

THE CIRCULAR PLACES ALL CDF PROCUREMENTS UNDER RESERVATION SCHEMES IN LINE WITH THE ZPPA ACT NO.

20 OF 2020.

THIS, THEREFORE, ENTAILS THAT CITIZENS WHO RESIDE IN RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY AND PREFERENCE IN THE PROCUREMENT OF ALL CDF PROJECTS.

MADAM SPEAKER, TO ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, GOVERNMENT IS MAKING PROGRESS IN INCREASING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY, WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.
GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED K750 MILLION TOWARDS RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMMES FOR 2023.

IN ADDITION, GOVERNMENT HAS SET ASIDE K156 MILLION, FROM THE CDF, TO EXPEDITE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION.

13 WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT, AS AT DECEMBER 2022, A TOTAL OF 56,341 CONNECTIONS WERE MADE AGAINST THE TARGET OF 39,992.

MADAM SPEAKER, TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION, GOVERNMENT, IN 2022, CONSTRUCTED 1,416 BOREHOLES, EQUIPPED WITH HAND PUMPS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 1,226 BOREHOLES WERE REHABILITATED AND 206 PIPED WATER SCHEMES WERE SET UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN 2023 AND BEYOND, THE CDF WILL PRIORITISE THE CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF PIPED WATER AND SANITATION SCHEMES FOR COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS SCHOOLS, HEALTH CENTRES, MARKETS AND BUS STATIONS.

MADAM SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALISING ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING.
LAST YEAR, GOVERNMENT RECRUITED TEACHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WITH MOST OF THEM DEPLOYED TO RURAL SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS LOW STAFFING LEVELS.

TO REDUCE THE INEQUALITIES AND IMPROVE THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING DESKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THROUGH THE CDF, 14 HAVE PRIORITISED THE PROCUREMENT OF DESKS TO MEET THE SHORTFALL IN SCHOOLS.
MADAM SPEAKER, THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO ENHANCED SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN COMING FROM VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS.

WE ARE RESOLVED TO IMPROVE THEIR NUTRITION STATUS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

SO FAR, 2 MILLION OUT OF THE TARGETED 3 MILLION LEARNERS, ARE ON THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

A TOTAL OF 5,128 SCHOOLS ARE IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME.

MADAM SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO HAVE A DIGNIFIED WORKFORCE.
IN THIS REGARD, LABOUR INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN INTENSIFIED.

THESE INSPECTIONS ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY.

15 MADAM SPEAKER, OUR ADMINISTRATION CARES ABOUT THE WELFARE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUTH.

TO THIS EFFECT, WE ARE IMPLEMENTING A NUMBER OF EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING MARKET BOOSTER LOANSS, YOUTH SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME AND GRANTS FOR INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY MADAM SPEAKER, IN ORDER FOSTER GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY WE HAVE INTENSFIED THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, MALADMINISTRATION IN SERVICE DELIVERY AND FINANCIAL CRIMES.

WE HAVE ACCELERATED THE PACE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND DECENTRALISATION.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN THE POLICY AND LEGAL ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS.
MADAM SPEAKER, TO STRENGTHEN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, WE HAVE RE- ORGANISED THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF INVESTIGATIVE WINGS AND ALSO INCREASED RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEIR OPERATIONS.

16 IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, THERE SHALL BE NO SACRED COWS.

THEREFORE, WE URGE EVERY ZAMBIAN TO UPHOLD INTEGRITY AND DENOUNCE ANY FORM OF CORRUPT PRACTICES.

MADAM SPEAKER, OUR CITIZENS DESERVE EFFICIENT AND EFFICECTIVE SERVICES FROM PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE HAVE DEDICATED THIS YEAR TO GET RID OF ALL FORMS OF RIGIDITIES THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS IN SERVICE DELIVERY.

MADAM SPEAKER, MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORISM FINANCING ARE EMERGING CRIMES THAT PRESENT A RISK TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

IT IS IN THIS REGARD THAT GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED THE NATIONAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING TERRORISM AND PROLIFERATION FINANCING POLICY, TO CURB THESE CRIMES.
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO OUR PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT HAS MADE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION.

OUR MOTORISTS CAN NOW ACCESS ELECTRONIC SERVICES ON LICENSING AND INSPECTIONS.

RETIREES CAN NOW ACCESS THEIR 17 PENSION AND SOCIAL BENEFITS ELECTRONICALLY.

TAXPAYERS ARE NOW ABLE TO PAY TAXES ONLINE.

MADAM SPEAKER, DECENTRALISATION IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US.
IT TAKES DECISION- MAKING AND SERVICES CLOSER TO OUR PEOPLE AND IMPROVES ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, GOVERNMENT DECENTRALISED THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS.

IN 2022, THE DECENTRALISED SYSTEMS CONTRIBUTED TO THE EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT RECRUITMENT OF MORE THAN 40,000 PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES.
MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT THE WARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES (WDC) AND CDF COMMITTEES ARE NOW OPERATIONAL COUNTRY-WIDE.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE NOW EMPOWERED TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES THROUGH THESE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES.

18 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MADAM SPEAKER, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS KEY TO OUR SURVIVAL AND PROSPERITY AS A NATION.

IT IS, THEREFORE, AT THE CENTRE OF ALL OUR DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS.
WE ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTRY IN A MANNER THAT ENSURES THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE A BETTER ZAMBIA TO LIVE IN.

MADAM SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS ASSOCIATED THREATS THAT CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY.

FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED DEVASTATING FLOODS IN SOME PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY.

WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT SOME FLOOD-HIT AREAS.
IT IS SAD THAT ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED INCLUDING CHILDREN UNABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, DUE TO FLOODING.

WE COMMEND ALL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE RESPONDING TIMELY TO THESE CALAMITIES.

WE MUST MOVE BEYOND RESPONDING TO DISASTERS AND FOCUS MORE 19 ON DISASTER PREVENTION BY STRENGTHENING OUR EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE CAN NO LONGER TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION ON THE CLIMATE AND OUR PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD.
TO THIS EFFECT, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PLANT IN EXCESS OF 2 MILLION TREES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ONCE AGAIN, I URGE EACH AND EVERYONE OF US TO TAKE PART IN TREE PLANTING IF WE ARE TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

MADAM SPEAKER, OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE THE GATE-KEEPERS OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

WE HAVE, THEREFORE, EMBRACED THE PARADIGM OF STRONG COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
GOVERNMENT, IN 2022, ADOPTED THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICY.

THE POLICY IS PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND 20 STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AT COMMUNITY LEVEL.

CONCLUSION MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN ENTRENCHING OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE INCREASINGLY APPRECIATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN SHAPING AND PROVIDING A SHARED HERITAGE.
WE WANT TO SEE A NATION WITH MORALLY UPRIGHT, ETHICAL, PATRIOTIC AND UNITED CITIZENS THAT EMBRACE HARD WORK.

MADAM SPEAKER, LET US WORK HARD AND AWAKEN THE VIRTUES WITHIN US AND LIVE OUR LIVES BASED ON OUR SHARED NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.

MAY GOD INSPIRE OUR WORDS AND DEEDS.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.

MAY GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.

MADAM SPEAKER, I THANK YOU.

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